Visible index or record device



Dec. 9, 1941. H. J HOPKINS VISIBLE INDEX OR RECORD DEVICE Filed July 20, 1939 patented Bee. 9, 1941 VISIBLE INDEX R RECORD DEVICE Harry J. Hopkins, Chicago, Ill:., assignor to Acme Visible Records, Inc., Chicago, Ill... a corporation of Illinois ApplicationJuly 20, 1939, Serial No. 285,481

3. Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in visible index or record equipment, and refers specifi-. cally to a portable relatively small, desk-size visible index or record device having a plurality of hingedly mounted panels swingable in book-- leaf fashion, the device being characterized in that predetermined individual panels may be conveniently mounted or removed from the device without disturbing the remaining panels.

The nature of an index or record device is such that it is desirable to have the constituent elements thereof easily removable or replaceable. This desideratum follows from the fact that the index or record items carried thereon are continuously being changed and hence, the device is preferably of such construction that the changes can be made most expeditiously.

My present invention comprises a visible index or record device wherein a predetermined indi vidual panel carrying index or record items can be quickly and conveniently removed from the device without disturbing the remaining panels.

Briefly described my invention comprises a supporting back carrying a pair of spaced plates apertured to receive the pintles of a plurality of index or record carrying panels, and a third plate disposed adjacent one of said first mentioned plates which is resiliently pressed toward said adjacent plate to serve as a movable stop. to retain the pintles in position in the spaced apertured plates.

The objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawing and following detailed description.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a front view of my visible index or record device. 7

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the device- Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of the device, illustrating particularly the spring pressed plate.

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken on line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary face view of the device, showing the spring pressed plate in retracted position.

Referring in detail to the drawing, I indicates a plate which comprises the base of my device, to the upper face of which may be secured by welding, or other convenient means of attachment, a strip 2, which is disposed transversely across the face of the base adjacent one end of said base. The strip 2 terminates in two upwardly extending lugs 3 and 4 which are spaced from each other bysubstantially the width of thebasel, and extend upwardly at right angles to the plane of the base.

The lugs 3 and i are substantially triangular in shape and each is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 5, the apertures in each lug being in an alignment oblique to the. plane of the base I. As will be hereinafter more fully described, the apertures 5 in the lugs 3 and 4 are for the reception of, and serve as bearings for pintles 6 and 1 carried by panels 8, whereby said panels are swingably mounted in bookeleaf fashion upon base i. An angular sectioned member 9 is secured, by welding orthe like to the cross strip 2, and functions as a back stop for the panels 8 when they are swung from their normal position in planeeparallel relation to base I.

Each of the panels 8 comprises a flat body portion It). defined on opposite side edges by overhanging flanges il, av space (not shown) being provided between the flanges II and the body Ill for the reception of the ends of the usual index or record strips l2. Flanges H are so constructed as to confine index or record strips l2 adjacent each face of the panel body 10. An index tab I3 is carried on the lower portion of each panel,

the tabs of adjacent panels being offset from each other, as shown best in Fig. 1.

As has been hereinbefore described, each of the panels 8 carries a pintle 6 and a pintle 1 ad jacent one end thereof, the pintle l on each panel extending outwardly from the side edge of the panel a greater distance than the pintle B. The spacing of the lugs 3 and 4 from each other is such that it is' slightly greater than the distance between the edge of the panel adjacent the pintle l and the end of the pintle 6 and is less than the distance between the end of the pintle 6 and the end of the pintle I, and is less than the distance between the edge of the panel adjacent the pintle 6 and the end of the pintle l. The arrangement i such that the pintles carried by the panels maybe inserted in opposite apertures 5 in the lugs 3 and 4 by inserting pintle I in an aperture 5 in lug 4 and moving the panel sidewise until the side edge thereof contacts the lug 4. The end of the opposite pintle 6 can then be inserted in a corresponding aperture 5 in the lug 3. To remove the pintles from the apertures, the opposite procedure is followed.

However, without means for preventing disengagement of the pintle 6 from the aperture in lug 3, canting of the base sidewise or sidewise movement of the panels may cause accidental or unin- 7 normal position.

tended removal of the pintle 6 from its receiving aperture.

As a feature of my invention, therefore, a plate I4 is mounted adjacent lug 4. The mounting means comprises a screw or the like l5 threadedly engaged in plate l4, the shank of the screw being of greater diameter than the threaded portion thereof whereby the screw can be securely looked upon plate l4. The screw I5 is provided with a slotted head I 6 whereby the screw may be conveniently manipulated. An aperture I1 is provided in lug 4 of a diameter greater than the diameter of the shank of the screw l5 and said shank is adapted to be slidably positioned in said aperture. A coil spring [8 embraces the shank of the screw l5 and abuts against head l6 and lug 4 whereby to normally urge plate l4 toward lug 4. A spacer in the form of a washer l9 serves to normally space plate l4 from lug 4. A pin is rigidly mounted upon the plate l4 and extends through an aperture 2| provided in lug 4, whereby outward displacement of plate l4 against theurging force of, spring l8 prevents excessive canting'of plate I4 about aperture I] as a pivot point, that is, plate l4 can be more conveniently moved at right angles to the plane of lug 4.

In operation, a panel 8 may be mounted upon base ,I by inserting a pintle 7, carried by said panelin an aperture 5 in lug l. The end of the pintle 'I will then abut, plate l4 and said plate may be displaced outwardly against the compression of spring l8 until the end of pint1e B clears the, inner face of lug 3, whereby said pintle maybe inserted in .an aperture .in the lug 3, and plate I4 permitted to return to The width of spacer I9 is preferably such that when plate I4 is in normal position, a slight amount of side play of the panel is permitted, yet insufiioient side play is allowed to permit thepintle 6 being withdrawn,

from aperture 5 in lug, 3 without displacing plate M from its normal position. V c It can readily be seen, therefore, that a simple and effective means is provided for preventing accidental or unintentional removal of the panels from the base. The same means, nevertheless, permits free swinging of the panels upon the base and affords convenient mounting and removal of the individual panels without disturbing theremaim'ng panels in the unit.

I claim as my invention: 7, l

1.,A portable visible index or record device comprising a relatively fiat base, spacedclugs proe jecting from the face of the base adjacent ops posite side edges thereof, each of said lugs being provided with a plurality of apertures, aplurality of panels for carrying index or record data, pintles carried by each of said panels for insertion in said apertures, said panels being swingable about said lugs, a resiliently movable plate mounted upon one of said lugs and normally connected thereto in spaced substantially 5 parallel relationship with respect to said lug,

which normally substantially abuts against the ends of the pintles carried by said panels to prevent excessive axial movement and unintended removal of said pintles from the apertures,

10 and means spaced from the mounting connection between the plate and adjacent lug for guiding the movement of said plate so as to maintain its plane substantially parallel to said adjacent lug.

l5 2. A portable visible index or record device comprising a relatively fiat base, spaced lugs projecting from the'face of the base adjacent op- ,posite side'edges thereof, each of said lugs being provided with a plurality of apertures, a plu- 29 rality of panels for carrying index or record data,

pintles carried by each of said panels for insertion in said apertures, said panels being swingable about said lugs, a resiliently movable plate mounted upon, and connected to, one of said lugs in spaced substantially parallel relationship with respect to said adjacent lug, which normally substantially abuts against the ends of the pintles carried by said panels to prevent excessive axial movement and unintended removal of said pintles from the apertures, and means for guiding the movement of said, plate so as to. maintain its plane substantially parallel to'said adjacent lug, said means comprising a pin carried by said plate, which registers with 1 an aperture provided in said adjacent lug, said pin being spaced from the mounting connection between the plate and the adjacent 111%.

3. A portable Visible index or record device comprising a relatively flat base, spaced lugs pro- 93 J'ecting from the face of the base adjacent opposite side edges thereof, each of said lugs being provided with a plurality of apertures, a plurality of panels for carrying index or record data, pintles carried by each of said panels for in- 453 sertion in said apertures, said panels being swingable about said lugs, a plate disposed adjacent one of said lugs, a resilient connection between said plate and said adjacent lug where by said plate is resiliently movable away from said plate, the face of said plate normally abutting against the ends of the pintles carried by said panels to prevent excessive axial movement and unintended removal of said pintles from the apertures, and means for guiding the outward movement of said plate in a direction at substantially right-angles to' its face, said meansbeing spaced from the resilient connection between the plate and the adjacent lug.

HARRY 'J. HOPKINS. 

